#MEwx Sun, mild temps and 4 waffle iron recipes to make something other than a waffle

Good morning Augusta

The Boston Red Sox lost to the Tampa Bay Rays yesterday afternoon 2-1. We are now 11 and 16.

A direct, real-time feed from my personal weather station is available for you here.

This morning we have partly sunny skies with highs in the lower 50s. West winds around 10 mph.

Tonight we'll have partly cloudy skies, then clearing. Lows in the lower 30s. Northwest winds around 10 mph in the evening, becoming light and variable.

The readings from my weather instruments are:

The outdoor temperature is 45.5°F, the humidity is 54% and the Dew Point is 29.8°F.

The wind direction is West Southwest between 7.4 MPH and 9.8 MPH.

The Relative pressure is 29.81, the Absolute pressure is 29.61 and rising with a weather graphic indicating sun.

Visibility is 10.0 Miles / 16.1 Kilometers with clear skies for the time being.

The UV rating is 1 out of 16, Sunrise is 5:34 A.M., Sunset is 7:39 P.M., Moonrise is 3:95 A.M., Moonset is 1:14 P.M. and the moon phase is waning crescent.

Augusta's RAW METAR readings are:

METAR KAUG 281153Z AUTO 28009KT 250V310 10SM CLR 06/M01 A2986 RMK AO2 SLP114 70007 T00561011 10056 20033 53027

We've received 0.48 inches of rain here. 

IF your kids feel creative, break out your waffle iron and show them the 4 recipes below. Waffle irons aren't just for waffles. Hey, might as well have some fun, right?

8 delicious foods you didn't know you could make in a waffle iron

by Edward Higgins  Monday, February 15th, 2016.

Waffle irons are not just for waffles anymore. Granted, most things you put between waffle irons will come out "waffleized," but that's a good thing! The reason waffle irons are shaped the way they are

is to increase the available surface area of the heating surface, so it comes into maximum contact with whatever batter or food you are pressing between the irons. This promotes crispness and browning in all the nooks, making the humble waffle iron a versatile kitchen tool.

Here is a list of 8 clever ideas for delicious foods you didn't know you could make in a waffle iron.

Get the kids involved and have fun!

 

1. Sandwiches. Move over, Panini press! A waffle iron makes terrific grilled cheese sandwiches.

Brush it with butter or olive oil and close it down over the sandwich (you may not be able to close it

completely) until the cheese is melted and the bread is crispy golden brown. Sliced bread such as scali works best. Try filling your waffle sandwiches with prosciutto and provolone, gruyere and tomato, or

smoked turkey and muenster. It also makes great tuna melts and Cuban sandwiches!

Ross Note: when this is done with black forrest rye, French peasant bread or marble rye it's fantastic.  Just wait until you hear the cheese sizzle and it's done.  Also, if you open the iron and tap the top ofr the sandwich, you'll know it's done if its crisp. 

 

2. Muffins/Brownies. (Ross has not tried this. Yet.)

You can experiment with all kinds of batter in a waffle maker. A few that work really well are corn muffin batter (add onion or jalapeño for a more savory hush puppy style waffle to serve with grilled fish!), banana bread/muffin batter, date nut batter, lemon poppy, etc.

Brownie batter is terrific in a waffle iron, especially if you like crispy edges. Imagine a whole waffle of crispy brownie edges topped with vanilla ice cream! Just load the batter in the iron until 3/4 full and cook 6 to 8 minutes.

 

3. Frittatas.

Make a simple Spanish "tortilla," which includes chopped onions and potatoes cooked in olive oil, allowed to cool, and mixed with scrambled eggs. Season well with salt and pepper and then ladle the mixture into the waffle iron, close, and cook until set and lightly brown. You can add cheese, meats, and all kinds of veggies to your frittata mixture. Try a Denver omelette with ham, bell pepper,

onions, and some shredded cheddar cheese. Or try spinach and feta cheese; even a "crustless" quiche with bacon, swiss cheese, and onion. Whisk some light cream in with the eggs! Get creative!

 

4. Corned Beef Hash.

Once you try corned beef hash in a waffle iron, you will never make it in a

skillet again. Fair warning, it probably won't stay together in a perfect waffle shape. It really depends

on the hash you use. Getting the browned hash out of the waffle iron tends to happen in pieces, but it's still delicious — crispy on the outside, tender on the inside. Be sure not to rush it. Let it brown well. It's hard to overcook hash. Top with a couple of poached eggs and serve!